{"id":150655,"date":"2021-06-24T14:02:08","date_gmt":"2021-06-24T18:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?page_id=150655"},"modified":"2022-06-07T15:40:52","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T19:40:52","slug":"buddypairs-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/bbu\/schools\/matches\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Matches"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Making Matches in School Chapters<\/h1>\n

Tips, documents, and videos on making one-to-one friendships in school chapters of Best Buddies.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text]

<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]If your chapter makes matches, as a chapter leader, connecting members with and without IDD into mutually enriching one-to-one friendships is one of your most important responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Typically there is not an even number of members with and without IDD, so you probably won’t be able to match everyone in a one-to-one friendship.<\/p>\n

The first step to making matches is reviewing the previous year’s matches and determining who should be matched together again.\u00a0 For the rest, you can get to know your members via matching surveys or member interviews.<\/p>\n

Matching surveys<\/h3>\n

The matching survey can be used during the matching process to learn about your members’ interests to see who could be compatible together.\u00a0 First, determine if the member wants to be matched in a one-to-one friendship.\u00a0 There is a question on the membership application asking if you want to be matched.\u00a0 To see a member’s response, review their membership record in BB360.<\/p>\n

Each member has a personalized matching survey form available for you to send to them.\u00a0 There is a link in BB360 on their membership record called Matching Survey URL.\u00a0 Send that link to the member and they can submit their interests and availability for getting together.<\/p>\n

Introducing Buddy Pairs<\/h3>\n

Once all the one-to-one matches have been made, it\u2019s time to have a meet your match party.\u00a0 At this party, members find out who their buddy is for the first time.\u00a0 This party can be a pizza party, an ice cream party, a banquet\u2014whatever you want it to be!<\/p>\n

The match party should give each buddy pair a chance to get to know one another in a relaxed, social setting.\u00a0 Think of a creative way to introduce the buddy pairs for the first time.\u00a0 Here are some ideas that real college chapters have done:<\/p>\n